This is my new Math in A Box. I'm posting math lessons-examples/diagrams-for algebra geometry, trig, precalculus. Need help? Make requests as I have hundreds! Hopefully I can post enough to help parents new (or not) to homeshooling during the pandemic.

First you must multiply the x – 2 by -1 before you begin your steps of solving. The – (x – 2 ) is the same as – 1(x – 2 ) . So 5x – 10 = ????

I want the x-terms on the left side of the “=” and the number terms on the right side. But first simplify the right side. You will make fewer mistakes. 5x – 10 = 3x – 10 – x +2. You do know why the 2 is positive?

Simplifies to 5x-10 = 2x – 8.

NOW begin solving. I will begin solving: Subtract 2x from both sides.

This is how we “move the x-term” to the left side of the equation.

3x – 10 = – 8 Now ADD 10 to both sides. This is how we move the “-10 term” to the right side of the equation.Did you notice that the 10 is negative, and that it is on the left side of the equation?